mStation 2.1 Stereo Orb iPod Dock Review

Introduction:

iPods have exploded in popularity over the past several years and coming with them has been a slew of accessories, ranging from battery packs to speaker systems. Like all products, however, there are ones that perform above and beyond what they are supposed to do and there are others that are just a waste of money. It is really helpful to know which ones are good before you go out and buy them, and this is the goal of this review.

The mStation 2.1 Stereo Orb is an iPod dock sporting 2.1 audio (2 main speakers and 1 main subwoofer). Having 2.1 usually means that sounds should be crisper with bass that hits harder than the similar units that integrate all sounds into one speaker. Unlike many iPod docks, however, this one only plays music from an iPod or other auxiliary source (via a headphone jack), but allows the docked iPod to be connected to your computer (and thus iTunes or whatever other program you use to maintain your iPod). Let's take a look at how these features really work and if they are worth it!

Closer Look:

The mStation 2.1 Stereo Orb comes in a cube box that appears to lightly mimic Apple's boxes (with a black background and white graphics and text). The box also has a handle that is nice for moving the mStation from place to place. The box isn't hard to open as there are only a few pieces of tape that need to be slit to allow the box to open.

The sides of the box show the product and the back lists some of the features of the mStation.

Once the box is opened, the instruction manual is right on top so you can read it before you break your nice shiny Orb. Taking out the protective Styrofoam reveals The Orb along with several accessories. The power cable, USB cable (for connecting the orb to your computer), an Orb remote, and several different plates to put on the Orb, depending on which iPod you intend to use with the Orb), are all included.

The back of the mStation has four places to plug things in. From left to right, there is a line-in port (used to attach non-iPod devices), a USB and Firewire port, which connect your iPod to your computer, and, finally, the power connector. The remote for the mStation provides some basic functions; play/pause, next song, previous song, volume up/down, bass up/down, treble up/down, and power.